Judges 2:11-12
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The text doesn't just say they served "Baal," but the plural "Baalim," highlighting that they didn't just dabble in one foreign god, but embraced a whole pantheon of these "lords," showing a deep departure from the one true Lord. This plural also underscores how easily they adopted the diverse idolatry of the surrounding nations, mixing many false masters into their worship.
And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. And they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the LORD to anger.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The generation that had witnessed Joshua's leadership and the conquest of Canaan was now gone. In their place, a new generation arose who hadn't experienced God's direct intervention, leading them to forget His commands and do "the evil"—specifically, falling into the idolatry of worshipping the various local deities known as the Baals, forsaking the God of their fathers. This act of apostasy is the pivotal turning point that sets the stage for the cycles of oppression and deliverance described throughout the book of Judges.
Israel looked around and saw the thriving cultures of their neighbors, with their own 'lords' and 'rulers.' What drew them away from the one true Lord?
The word 'Baal' literally means 'lord' or 'master.' It was a title of respect given to the various gods worshipped by the Canaanites and surrounding nations. These deities were often associated with nature, fertility, and power, promising prosperity and control over life's circumstances.
Think about it: when Israel began to adopt these practices, they weren't just picking up new gods; they were embracing a whole new concept of 'lordship.' Instead of serving the invisible, covenant-keeping God of Abraham, they turned to visible, tangible 'lords' who seemed to offer immediate blessings and worldly success. This was a direct challenge to God's unique place as their sole Master and Provider.
Israel thought they were doing something beneficial, or at least understandable. So why does the Bible call it 'evil in the sight of the LORD'?
This phrase, 'evil in the sight of the LORD,' is a recurring theme in Judges and throughout the Old Testament. It signifies more than just a moral failing; it's an act of profound disrespect and rejection of God, especially for a people who had experienced His direct intervention.
Israel knew who God was. They had seen His power in the Exodus, the wilderness, and the conquest of Canaan under Joshua. To turn from Him to 'Baalim' wasn't ignorance; it was deliberate defiance. Their actions were 'evil' precisely because they were a betrayal of their covenant relationship with the LORD, whose presence and eye were uniquely upon them.
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Understand the original words
ra' · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Moral or ethical wickedness that is offensive or disagreeable to God's standard of holiness and character.
Ba'al · Hebrew Noun
A false deity or fertility god worshiped by Canaanite peoples, often representing the storm god associated with rain and agricultural productivity.
'azab · Hebrew Verb
To forsake, desert, or leave behind a relationship or covenant, frequently used in the context of Israel turning away from Yahweh to idols.
ab · Hebrew Noun
A common descriptive term for the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) with whom God established His covenant, serving as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises.
chawah · Hebrew Verb
To prostrate oneself or pay homage, physically expressing submission, reverence, or worship, whether directed toward God or idols.
ka'as · Hebrew Verb
To incite or irritate, frequently used to describe Israel’s idolatry triggering God's righteous indignation and disciplinary action.
This verse marks the beginning of a recurring cycle in the book of Judges: Israel's assimilation into the idolatrous practices of the surrounding Canaanites, directly defying the covenant they had made with the LORD.
c. 1400-1050 BC— this verse
Period of the Judges
Following Joshua's death, Israel entered a period marked by cycles of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance, with a series of local leaders (judges) guiding them.
During the Judges period
Canaanite Idolatry Flourishes
The native Canaanite peoples continued their religious practices, which included the worship of various deities known collectively as the Baalim (lords) and Ashtaroth (female deities).
During the Judges period
Israel's Covenant Forgetfulness
As a new generation arose without direct experience of God's deliverance from Egypt or the covenant at Sinai, they grew lax in their commitment to the LORD.
This passage directly warns Israel that if they disobey, they will serve other gods, directly paralleling the action described in Judges.
Hosea 2:16-17This prophecy shows a future restoration where God's people will no longer call Him 'my lord' (Baal) but 'my husband,' highlighting the perversion of calling false gods 'lord'.
1 Kings 18:21Elijah confronts the people of Israel about their divided loyalty, asking if they will 'limp between two opinions' regarding serving the LORD and Baal, illustrating the spiritual compromise.
Jeremiah 7:9The prophet Jeremiah rebukes the people for 'stealing, murdering, committing adultery, swearing falsely, offering to Baal, and walking after other gods,' showing this pattern of idolatry continuing for centuries.
jfbJudges 2:11-19: "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:"
Jud 2:11-19. Wickedness of the New Generation after Joshua.11-19. the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord—This chapter, together with the first eight verses of the next [Jud 2:11-3:8], contains a brief but comprehensive summary of the principles developed in the following history. An attentive consideration of them, therefore, is of the greatest importance to a right understanding…
bensonJudges 2:11: "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:"
Jdg 2:11 . The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord — Which marks the heinousness and impudence of their sins, above other people’s; because God’s presence was with them, and his eye upon them in a peculiar manner, which also they were not ignorant of, and therefore were guilty of more contempt of God than other people. And served Baalim — False gods, which were called by this general…
The text doesn't just say they served "Baal," but the plural "Baalim," highlighting that they didn't just dabble in one foreign god, but embraced a whole pantheon of these "lords," showing a deep departure from the one true Lord. This plural also underscores how easily they adopted the diverse idolatry of the surrounding nations, mixing many false masters into their worship.
The generation that had witnessed Joshua's leadership and the conquest of Canaan was now gone. In their place, a new generation arose who hadn't experienced God's direct intervention, leading them to forget His commands and do "the evil"—specifically, falling into the idolatry of worshipping the various local deities known as the Baals, forsaking the God of their fathers. This act of apostasy is the pivotal turning point that sets the stage for the cycles of oppression and deliverance described throughout the book of Judges.
The generation that had witnessed Joshua's leadership and the conquest of Canaan was now gone. In their place, a new generation arose who hadn't experienced God's direct intervention, leading them to forget His commands and do "the evil"—specifically, falling into the idolatry of worshipping the various local deities known as the Baals, forsaking the God of their fathers. This act of apostasy is the pivotal turning point that sets the stage for the cycles of oppression and deliverance described throughout the book of Judges.
"And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. And they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods…" — The text doesn't just say they served "Baal," but the plural "Baalim," highlighting that they didn't just dabble in one foreign god, but embraced a whole pantheon of these "lords," showing a deep dep…
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Last reviewed October 2026
